Helen Haines. Photo: Twitter

Community group Voices 4 Indi – which supports MHR Cathy McGowan – is congratulating Helen Haines on being the next ‘Orange independent’.

Dr Haines, 57, a rural researcher, received the nod at the organisation’s pre-selection at Benalla today (Saturday).

“”Cathy has delivered incredible results for Indi. But the work has only just begun and we can’t afford for the seat to revert into the hands of the major parties to be ignored once more,” Dr Haines was quoted to say by The Age.

“A rural health researcher has been chosen by Cathy McGowan’s group Voices for Indi to succeed her on the federal crossbench,” reports The Australian.

“Cathy McGowan will make an announcement about her political future on Monday morning, after her group Voices for Indi chose rural health researcher and midwife Helen Haines as their candidate for the northeast Victorian seat of Indi,” the national broadsheet said.

“Ms McGowan had previously said she would wait to see who Voices for Indi chose as her successor before deciding whether she would retire at the May election, or use the next term of government as a handover period,” said Rachel Baxendale, Victorian Political Reporter for the newspaper.